The Czech Republic is preparing to sign its first formal cooperation agreement with an American state, choosing Texas as its partner. The memorandum will be signed next week during a visit to the United States by Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček. The agreement will establish a structured partnership between the Czech Republic and Texas, the second-largest and second-most populous state in the United States. It will also mark the first time Prague has concluded this type of memorandum with an individual U.S. state. The signing is expected to take place in Austin, the Texas capital, during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, where Havlíček will meet Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The minister’s trip to the United States is scheduled for March 9–15 and will also include meetings in Washington. According to the Czech Foreign Ministry, the partnership reflects long-standing historical and cultural links between the two regions. Texas is home to the largest community of Americans who claim Czech ancestry. Czech migrants began settling there in the 19th century, leaving a lasting mark on local culture and traditions. These historical ties have been reinforced by military cooperation. Since 1993, the Czech Army has worked with the Texas National Guard...
The Easter season in Czechia is once again bringing a wide range of traditional markets, castle festivals and folk events across the country. In the capital, the Easter atmosphere will return to Prague’s historic squares. Easter markets will open at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square between 21 March and 12 April. Stalls will sell painted eggs, wooden rattles, ribbons and traditional Easter whips, while stage programmes will feature folk songs and dances reflecting Czech spring traditions. Easter markets are also planned in other Czech cities. In Plzeň, the Easter market at Republic Square will run from 25 March to 5 April. Visitors can browse stands offering painted eggs, handmade whips decorated with colourful ribbons, sausages, stuffing, cheeses and local mead. In Brno, the Easter Festival at Svobody Square will run from 27 March to 5 April. Around forty stands will sell wicker baskets, pottery, jewellery, Easter decorations and traditional painted eggs. The programme will also include performances by Moravian folklore groups, combining dance and live music. The southern Bohemian town of Český Krumlov will host its Easter market at Svornosti Square from 2 to 6 April. Local farmers and artisans will offer seasonal products, wooden crafts, fur sheep toys,...
More than just stories between pages, the Human Libraries Project is about bringing people together through experience, discussion, and inclusion. Human Libraries encourage people not to judge a book by its cover – the book being a human with individual experiences, rather than a paperback edition text. Since the early 2000s, the ideas of becoming a “human book” or a “reader” have been circulating globally, through various organizations, and continue to grow. In 2013, Amnesty International Czech Republic implemented this format, aligning with the belief in universal human rights, while actively working to combat discrimination and prejudice. Since then, thousands of human books have been invited to share their experiences in open conversations tackling racism, extremism, and xenophobia. “86% of children who experience Human Libraries consider themselves to be more empathetic towards others, as conversation deepens and more difficult questions arise,” states Natálie Ficencová, Coordinator of Human Libraries Amnesty International Czech Republic. “Human Libraries aim to improve empathy and understanding of human rights within society.” Just like turning a page from one chapter to the next, discovery is endless. As conversations deepen, comfort increases between participants and their curiosity. Human books come from many backgrounds, where everyone is safe and...
Prague hosted a European tourism workshop focused on promoting Sardinia to international travel markets, bringing together tour operators and buyers from across the continent. The event, organized by the tour operator Sardegna Travel, aimed to strengthen cooperation between Sardinian tourism businesses and European partners while positioning the island as a destination beyond the traditional summer season. The gathering marked the fourth edition of the initiative and drew tourism professionals from several countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Representatives of Sardinian tourism businesses also attended, meeting directly with travel buyers and agencies interested in expanding their offerings in the Mediterranean destination. Organizers said the goal was to support direct business relationships between tourism providers on the island and international travel partners. By facilitating these contacts, the workshop sought to encourage travel to Sardinia throughout the year rather than concentrating visits during the peak summer months. The event took place under the patronage of several institutions, including the Italian Embassy in Prague, the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague, and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. Regional authorities included the workshop in their official program dedicated to promoting tourism on the island....
Nine people, including the owner and several regular customers, were infected during a hepatitis A outbreak at a restaurant in Prague. The establishment is located in the Prague 6 district and has been closed as a precaution. The case was uncovered by the Prague Hygiene Station, which carried out an investigation together with specialists in food hygiene and epidemiology. Inspectors identified problems related to personal and operational hygiene inside the restaurant. According to officials, the restaurant’s owner and several regular patrons were among those diagnosed with hepatitis A. The health authority has not disclosed the name of the establishment, as the epidemiological investigation is still ongoing. Petra Batók, a spokesperson for the hygiene station, said the restaurant was not officially ordered to close. The owner decided to shut the venue as a preventive measure after the inspection results were discussed. Health workers are now tracing contacts of the infected individuals. The public is considered safe, but people who may have been in high-risk contact will be contacted directly by the hygiene station. “Vaccination against viral hepatitis A is an effective preventive measure, and we recommend it,” Batók said, adding that epidemiologists are continuing their investigation into the possible source of...
Two well-known Prague venues — Lucerna Cinema and Edison Filmhub — have been included in a global ranking of the 100 best cinemas in the world, compiled by the international publication Time Out. The list places the Czech capital alongside major film cities such as Tokyo, Paris, and Los Angeles, highlighting Prague’s long-standing cinema culture. The historic Lucerna Cinema, located inside the Lucerna Palace near Wenceslas Square, ranked 62nd in the list. The venue has operated as a cinema since 1909 and remains one of Prague’s best-known film spaces. Time Out praised its distinctive early 20th-century atmosphere and its combination of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural elements. Over the years, the cinema has hosted premieres, festivals, and cultural events. Recently it also served as the site of the farewell ceremony for renowned Czech actress Jana Brejchová, highlighting the venue’s symbolic cultural role in the city. Edison Filmhub placed 75th in the ranking and was described by the publication as a Prague hub for thoughtful and independent film programming. The cinema is situated in a functionalistic building near the Jindřišská Tower, formerly used as a transformer station. It was created by brothers Ivan Hronec and Dominik Hronec, founders of Film...
Emirates has restarted flights between Dubai and Prague, creating a new route for Czech citizens seeking to return home from the Middle East. Authorities say the flights could transport around 615 passengers a day, easing pressure on a repatriation effort that has struggled with limited seats and transport challenges across the region. The Czech government and travel agencies have been organizing special flights for citizens affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. However, the operation has faced logistical difficulties, including moving travelers across borders and securing enough seats on commercial aircraft. The resumption of the Dubai–Prague connection is expected to play a key role in these efforts. Dubai has become the main transit point for many Czech travelers in the region, particularly those living or staying in the United Arab Emirates. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš urged people not to travel to the airport without confirmation of a seat. In a message posted on the social network X, he said the Czech consulate is coordinating passenger lists on site. “Our consulate is directly organizing the boarding process. Citizens registered in the DROZD system and on the repatriation list are being placed on flights. Please do not go to the...
Hollywood briefly turns its attention to the Czech Republic as Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio start filming their eighth project together near Kolín. Filming began at Ratboř Castle, where the crew reportedly occupied the football field opposite the historic building. The access road and the surrounding area were covered with artificial snow to create the winter atmosphere required for the story. Public attention intensified after photos appeared on the Instagram account of Francesca Scorsese, who accompanied her father during a visit to Strahov Monastery. The cast for the movie What Happens at Night will also include Jennifer Lawrence, along with Patricia Clarkson, Jared Harris and Mads Mikkelsen. The story of What Happens at Night is expected to follow an American couple attempting to adopt a child while repairing their strained relationship. If the film follows the source material, the setting will be an isolated, snow-covered European city. Prague is unlikely to appear as itself. Instead, its historical architecture will serve as a neutral, dreamlike backdrop for the narrative. Most of the interior scenes are expected to be constructed inside Barrandov Studios, where the production team plans to build a hotel environment that forms the main stage of the story. Exterior...
The Czech Republic’s consumer price inflation moderated unexpectedly in February to the lowest level in more than nine years, preliminary data from the Czech Statistical Office showed on Wednesday. Consumer prices climbed 1.4 percent year-over-year in February, slower than the 1.6 percent increase in January. Economists were looking for a stable increase of 1.6 percent. Further, this was the weakest inflation rate since October 2016, when prices rose only 0.8 percent. The annual price growth in food, alcohol, and tobacco softened to 0.4 percent from 1.3 percent, while the decline in energy prices eased slightly to 7.8 percent from 7.9 percent. Data showed that inflation based on services slowed to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent. On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged down 0.1 percent, while prices were expected to rise by 0.1 percent. The final data for the month of February will be published on March 10. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Hundreds of Czech citizens stranded in the Middle East may soon have a way back home, but the evacuation will not be free. The Czech government has arranged additional flights from the region, offering seats for 15,000 CZK as air travel across several countries remains disrupted. The situation developed after escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran forced several airports in the region to suspend operations. On Saturday, major hubs such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar halted flights, leaving thousands of travelers without clear options to return to Europe. Since the weekend, the Czech government’s crisis staff has been coordinating a response. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka have been discussing ways to help Czech citizens leave affected countries. Several government aircraft have already transported citizens back to Prague. Since Tuesday evening, flights have arrived from Amman, Muscat, and from Israel via Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, where a military CASA aircraft collected passengers before flying them to the Czech Republic. Officials say more flights are being prepared. A larger evacuation flight has been arranged through the private airline Smartwings. The aircraft carries 189 passengers and departed from Queen Alia...
Prague’s transport network will see several changes in the coming months, including the reopening of a long-closed metro station and the future shutdown of another for major reconstruction. The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) plans to reopen Českomoravská station on Metro Line B on March 20, more than a year after it closed for extensive repairs. The station has been out of service since January 2025. Work at the station took longer than expected because its structural condition was worse than initial surveys suggested. The city is aiming to reopen the station in time for the World Figure Skating Championships, scheduled to take place at the nearby O2 Arena from March 24 to 29. While one station prepares to reopen, another will soon close for a much longer period. The Hradčanská station on Metro Line A is now expected to close at the beginning of next year for a large reconstruction project. Earlier plans suggested the closure could start this year, but Prague officials decided to postpone it. Deputy Mayor for Transport Jaromír Beránek said the city wants to wait until the reconstruction of Flora station, also on Line A, is completed before shutting Hradčanská. Flora is expected to reopen...
High-speed trains will start serving the R9 route in December, connecting Prague with the Vysočina region and southern Moravia. The new service is part of a major modernization effort in Czech passenger rail transport. The upgrade is being prepared by private carrier RegioJet. Modern electric trains produced by Pesa are already undergoing tests at the Velim railway testing facility, where they must pass a series of mandatory technical checks before entering regular operation. The fleet will consist of 11 four-car trains and seven three-car trains, offering different capacities depending on demand. The R9 line will function as an important corridor linking the capital with regional centers. Trains will run hourly between Prague and Havlíčkův Brod. There, the route will split. One part of the train will continue toward Brno, while the other will head to Jihlava. The arrangement should reduce the need for transfers and make regional travel more direct. Accessibility was a central design requirement for the new rolling stock. All carriages will be low-floor, allowing easier boarding for passengers with limited mobility, cyclists, and parents travelling with strollers. Each train will include space for two wheelchair users. Dedicated areas will be available for ten bicycles and six strollers. Families...
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